(IsraelNN.com) The Property Tax Branch of the Finance Ministry intends to handle about 1,300 claims for damages that were caused to structures, vehicles and farm land due to rocket attacks in southern Israel since Operation Cast Lead began.

The city to have received the highest number of claims is Ashkelon. Its residents have filed 396 claims for damages to structure and vehicles. In second place is Ashdod, with 290 claims, followed by communities that border the Gaza Belt. Sderot is in fourth place. In Be’er Sheva, which has received relatively little damage compared with Ashkelon and Ashdod, 22 residents have made claims to date.

Residents whose homes have been damaged can choose between fixing the damages themselves and receive compensation or wait for the Tax Authorities to repair their homes. To date, 28 families have been evacuated to hotels from their homes that are unfit for residing. About 17 homes took a direct hit.

Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, over 683 Kassam rockets, mortar shells, and Grad rockets have been fired towards Israel.

As a result of the firing by Hamas terrorists, four civilians have been killed, six have been critically injured, eight suffered moderate injuries, 39 have been listed as lightly wounded, and 201 have been treated for trauma.